Day 2: 30 May 2011 (Mingdu Hotel - Forbidden City)
2:05 a.m. - Tut tut...tut tut....tut tut..... My deep sleep was shattered when I heard the phone ringing. I thought it was our wake-up call, which was scheduled for 3:30 a.m. daily (Subuh is mighty early in China in the Summer and days are long, but nights are short).
When I picked up the phone, a sleepy female recptionist told me in her halting English that my luggage had arrived. I almost jumped for joy, despite being very sleepy. The clock showed 2:05 a.m. I was deliriously happy. I thought, at least, I could now change into fresh clothings.
Took the elevator down and was ushered to a small room. When I looked around with my haf-asleep eyes, my joy turned into horror as I could not find my bag among the luggage in that room. But thank goodness, my daughter's luggage had been found. I was somewhat relieved but felt sad at the same time.
Dejectedly I pulled my daughter's luggage into the elevator. As my missing bag was occupying my mind, sleep eluded me. So I decided not to go back to sleep. I decided to talk to God, have a conversation with Him.
It was a plea to Allah. In the stillness of the night, I pleaded to Allah to send my luggage back to me. I continued praying until Subuh prayers. And after waking up my daughter, I went back to sleep.
Before the alarm went off, I was awaken by the ringing on my phone. My husband who was worried about my missing luggage had texted me to enquire about it. Dejectedly I relayed the bad news to him.
8:00 a.m. - As I had no fresh clothes, my daughter offered her T-shirt (thank God it fitted). I continued to fervently pray to Allah for the return of my luggage.
We had breakfast in the room (We weren't really keen on having breakfast at the coffehouse as we were sceptical of the halalness of the food). I had brought bread, cheese stick, sardine and maggi. This morning we had sardine sandwich.
8:25 a.m. - Went down to the coffeehouse to have coffee but the coffee tasted awful. Helped ourselves to some boiled eggs so that we could eat those for the next day's breakfast.
9:00 a.m. - Left Mingdu hotel for Forbidden City (See story on Forbidden City)
Showing posts with label My Journal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label My Journal. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Beijing - Day 1 (P.M): I know what I did the last 6 days
Day 1 (P.M.) - 29 May 2011 (KL - Hongkong - Beijing)
P.M
1;25 p.m. - A thick haze greeted us as we touched down in Hongkong International airport. If we thought the haze was an ominous sign, we were spot on!!!
As our flight was somewhat delayed, a CP staff ushered us hurriedly before the security check point. We were flabbergasted when the Hong Kong airport staff rudely screamed at our group. I reckoned some of the staff at the Security checkpoint at Hong Kong International airport could either be suffering from depression, enduring serious PMS, or they're born psychotic!!! They were barking at us in a high-pitched tone, like as if they were suffering from dementia. That was a far cry from New Zealand or anywhere else for that matter. The Hongkees were devoid of any greetings, let alone a smile!!!
As our connecting flight to Beijing was at 2:00 p.m. and by the time, the scowling and psychotic security personnel cleared us, it was close to 1:50 p.m.
I had never walked (tearing and dashing were more like it) so fast in my life in an airport!!! We were all practically sprinting to the train terminal which would take us to our Departure gate 49. I was panting and wheezing all the way. And I really pitied the 4 ladies who were part of our tour group as they were gasping for air. This was pure madness!!! It was like taking part in an Amazing Race, except that this was worse.
Once we reached the plane, the Gwailo captain announced, "We're about ready to take off, but we're missing one passenger, and the flight control just radioed to say that we're 4th in the queue and will take off only at 2:40 p.m. Gosh!!! The sprinting and the scrambling and the gasping were all for nothing!!!
Thank God the CP staff on board the flight were friendlier and sober than those at the airport!!!. I vowed not to fly via Hong Kong again, if I could help it. Just after I sat down, the CP crew came to enquire if I wanted Muslim meal.
2:40 p.m. - The plane took off for a 3-hour flight to Beijing. Muslim meal was served and the cew were courteous and friendly which made up for the shoddy treatment we received at the HK International airport.
5:45 p.m. - Arrived at Beijing International airport. Somewhat surprised that the airport was so quiet. There was hardly any passengers. Seemed like we were the only ones arriving at this spanking clean and new airport (this airport was built for use during the 2008 Olympics that was held in Beijing).
6:30 p.m. - Waited for our bags at Belt 41. 6 bags were missing (including mine and my daughter's). Were told that those bags would arrive on the next flight (7.30 p.m.).
8:15 p.m - Waited patiently but 8:15 p.m came and still no sign of the 6 missing bags. Lodged a second complaint with DragonAir. This time was told that the bags would come on a later flight. Weary and tired, we decided to adjourn to our hotel and hoped against hope that our bags would safely arrive at our hotel.
What a misdaventure!!! I've travelled rather extensively and this was my first encounter where passengers arrived without their checked-in luggage as the luggage came on another flight!!! So much for their tagline "5-star airline!!!" It's awfully ridiculous and mind boggling.
8:45 p.m - Taken to a Muslim restaurant by Jessica, our amiable tourist guide for our first meal in China. As the missing luggage was occupying my mind, I hardly ate. I had no appetite. My entire belongings were in that bag.
10:00 p.m. - Checked in into Mingdu Hotel (a 4-star outfit). My weariness slipped away as we entered the spacious room. I was pleasantly surprised by the size and the facilities offered. It was comparable to any comfortable 3-star hotel in Malaysia.
After showering, my daughter and I retired to bed. It had been a long day. As I had no clothes, I slept in my sweater. The minute my head hit the luscious and fluffy pillow, I fell asleep and forgot the day's misdaventure. I slept like a log, oblivious to the world around me, oblivious to the fact that 5 bags had been found and were delivered to the hotel as I lay soundly asleep...
P.M
1;25 p.m. - A thick haze greeted us as we touched down in Hongkong International airport. If we thought the haze was an ominous sign, we were spot on!!!
As our flight was somewhat delayed, a CP staff ushered us hurriedly before the security check point. We were flabbergasted when the Hong Kong airport staff rudely screamed at our group. I reckoned some of the staff at the Security checkpoint at Hong Kong International airport could either be suffering from depression, enduring serious PMS, or they're born psychotic!!! They were barking at us in a high-pitched tone, like as if they were suffering from dementia. That was a far cry from New Zealand or anywhere else for that matter. The Hongkees were devoid of any greetings, let alone a smile!!!
As our connecting flight to Beijing was at 2:00 p.m. and by the time, the scowling and psychotic security personnel cleared us, it was close to 1:50 p.m.
I had never walked (tearing and dashing were more like it) so fast in my life in an airport!!! We were all practically sprinting to the train terminal which would take us to our Departure gate 49. I was panting and wheezing all the way. And I really pitied the 4 ladies who were part of our tour group as they were gasping for air. This was pure madness!!! It was like taking part in an Amazing Race, except that this was worse.
Once we reached the plane, the Gwailo captain announced, "We're about ready to take off, but we're missing one passenger, and the flight control just radioed to say that we're 4th in the queue and will take off only at 2:40 p.m. Gosh!!! The sprinting and the scrambling and the gasping were all for nothing!!!
Thank God the CP staff on board the flight were friendlier and sober than those at the airport!!!. I vowed not to fly via Hong Kong again, if I could help it. Just after I sat down, the CP crew came to enquire if I wanted Muslim meal.
2:40 p.m. - The plane took off for a 3-hour flight to Beijing. Muslim meal was served and the cew were courteous and friendly which made up for the shoddy treatment we received at the HK International airport.
5:45 p.m. - Arrived at Beijing International airport. Somewhat surprised that the airport was so quiet. There was hardly any passengers. Seemed like we were the only ones arriving at this spanking clean and new airport (this airport was built for use during the 2008 Olympics that was held in Beijing).
6:30 p.m. - Waited for our bags at Belt 41. 6 bags were missing (including mine and my daughter's). Were told that those bags would arrive on the next flight (7.30 p.m.).
8:15 p.m - Waited patiently but 8:15 p.m came and still no sign of the 6 missing bags. Lodged a second complaint with DragonAir. This time was told that the bags would come on a later flight. Weary and tired, we decided to adjourn to our hotel and hoped against hope that our bags would safely arrive at our hotel.
What a misdaventure!!! I've travelled rather extensively and this was my first encounter where passengers arrived without their checked-in luggage as the luggage came on another flight!!! So much for their tagline "5-star airline!!!" It's awfully ridiculous and mind boggling.
8:45 p.m - Taken to a Muslim restaurant by Jessica, our amiable tourist guide for our first meal in China. As the missing luggage was occupying my mind, I hardly ate. I had no appetite. My entire belongings were in that bag.
10:00 p.m. - Checked in into Mingdu Hotel (a 4-star outfit). My weariness slipped away as we entered the spacious room. I was pleasantly surprised by the size and the facilities offered. It was comparable to any comfortable 3-star hotel in Malaysia.
After showering, my daughter and I retired to bed. It had been a long day. As I had no clothes, I slept in my sweater. The minute my head hit the luscious and fluffy pillow, I fell asleep and forgot the day's misdaventure. I slept like a log, oblivious to the world around me, oblivious to the fact that 5 bags had been found and were delivered to the hotel as I lay soundly asleep...
Beijing - Day 1 (A.M.) : I know what I did the last 6 days
Day 1: 29 May 2011 (KL - Hongkong - Beijing)
A.M
6:15 a.m. - Left for KLIA after Subuh prayer. Slated to meet the tour agent at 7:00 a.m, but they only showed up at 7:45 a.m.
Hunger pangs crept in, but there wasn't sufficient time to eat as we had to board the train which would take us to the International terminal at Departure Gate C32 for our transit flight to Hongkong.
9:50 a.m. - Our flight was slightly delayed and only took off at 9:50 a.m. As we had to skip breakfast, my stomach was churning and turning topsy turvy. We were only served drinks initially and had to wait a miserable 2 hours before breakfast was served.
By the time it came to my turn, I was ravenously hungry which later turned into anger as food choices were between Chicken Sausage and Fish and Egg Omelette. When they approached my seat, and to my utter disappointment, I was told that they had already ran out of Fish. As I'm averse to chicken, I had no choice but to settle for only bread, butter and yoghurt. So much for 5-star airline. That happened to be the tagline which the tour agency propagated for the airline I flew, i.e. Cathay Pacific. And if this wasn't bad enough, I was in for more nasty experiences as the day progressed!!!
Despite having so many crew members, they were in disarray. They were walking here and there without actually knowing what they were supposed to do. The miserable and so-called 5-star meal came without drinks. I had to page several times before drinks were served. Plates took a long time to be cleared. And to make matters worse, I coudn't sleep as CP's seats were not comfortable at all. My spine was screaming in agony.
It was somewhat a different scenario with my daughter. The minute she boarded the plane, she fell asleep almost immediately and only woke up when food was served. I wish I can fall asleep that easily. Sleep usually eludes me, regardless of whether I'm in a plane, car, bus, train or even in my comfortable bed at home. Sleep has always been a nightmare for me....
A.M
6:15 a.m. - Left for KLIA after Subuh prayer. Slated to meet the tour agent at 7:00 a.m, but they only showed up at 7:45 a.m.
Hunger pangs crept in, but there wasn't sufficient time to eat as we had to board the train which would take us to the International terminal at Departure Gate C32 for our transit flight to Hongkong.
9:50 a.m. - Our flight was slightly delayed and only took off at 9:50 a.m. As we had to skip breakfast, my stomach was churning and turning topsy turvy. We were only served drinks initially and had to wait a miserable 2 hours before breakfast was served.
By the time it came to my turn, I was ravenously hungry which later turned into anger as food choices were between Chicken Sausage and Fish and Egg Omelette. When they approached my seat, and to my utter disappointment, I was told that they had already ran out of Fish. As I'm averse to chicken, I had no choice but to settle for only bread, butter and yoghurt. So much for 5-star airline. That happened to be the tagline which the tour agency propagated for the airline I flew, i.e. Cathay Pacific. And if this wasn't bad enough, I was in for more nasty experiences as the day progressed!!!
Despite having so many crew members, they were in disarray. They were walking here and there without actually knowing what they were supposed to do. The miserable and so-called 5-star meal came without drinks. I had to page several times before drinks were served. Plates took a long time to be cleared. And to make matters worse, I coudn't sleep as CP's seats were not comfortable at all. My spine was screaming in agony.
It was somewhat a different scenario with my daughter. The minute she boarded the plane, she fell asleep almost immediately and only woke up when food was served. I wish I can fall asleep that easily. Sleep usually eludes me, regardless of whether I'm in a plane, car, bus, train or even in my comfortable bed at home. Sleep has always been a nightmare for me....
Beijing: Mr Lin, the amiable Malaysian millionaire in Beijing
Check out this space - under construction
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